Konkani Lekhak Sangh Karnataka Announces Konkani Literary Award 2026 for Writer M. Patrik

Konkani Lekhak Sangh Karnataka, a voluntary organisation established in 2018 with the objective of promoting the Konkani language and literature, has announced its Konkani Literary Award for the year 2026. The award will be conferred on eminent Konkani writer Mr. Patrick Camille Moras, popularly known by his pen name M. Patrik, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Konkani literature.

Instituted in 2022, the Konkani Literary Award is presented annually to a writer who has made a significant and lasting impact on Konkani literary heritage. For 2026, the award committee unanimously selected M. Patrik for his decades-long dedication and prolific literary output. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a citation, and a memento.

Born on November 17, 1945, Patrick Camille Moras rose from a childhood marked by hardship to become one of the most respected voices in Konkani literature. After discontinuing formal education at the fifth-grade level to support his family, he found encouragement and mentorship from J.B. Rasquinha, who introduced him to books and motivated him to sell literature door-to-door. Beginning his journey as a book seller and Associate Editor of Kannik Konkani magazine at the age of eighteen, M. Patrik went on to author more than 800 short stories, around 400 articles, and ten novels.

Through his publishing house, Nityadar Prakashan, he published numerous literary works, including plays and detective dramas, thereby making a lasting contribution to the growth and popularity of Konkani literature. In recognition of his immense service to the language, he has earlier received the Honorary Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and the Sandesha Konkani Literature Award – 2026.

The Konkani Literary Award 2026 will be formally conferred at a function scheduled to be held on February 7, 2026, at 6.30 p.m., at the Sandesha Premises of Sandesha Foundation, Bajjodi, Mangaluru. The announcement was made at a press meet held on January 20, 2026, at 10.45 a.m. at the Press Club, Mangaluru. Those present at the press meet included Richard Moras, Convener; Dolphy F. Lobo, Committee Member; Dr Jerry Niddodi, Advisory Committee Member; and Mr J. F. Dsouza, Advisory Committee Member.